Ghrelin在小鼠体内早期胚胎发育中的表达

为了探讨Ghrelin是否在昆明系小白鼠(Mus musculus)体内早期胚胎发育中发挥作用。运用激素超排卵技术及动物解剖学方法获取小鼠体内不同发育阶段的早期胚胎,应用实时定量PCR技术检测了Ghrelin mRNA的相对表达量。结果表明,Ghrelin mRNA在小鼠各期胚胎中均有表达;同时,GhrelinmRNA的表达量呈现一定规律性变化,2-细胞期表达量最低,8-细胞期表达量达到最高值,总体趋势是先降低后升高之后又降低。研究结果揭示,Ghrelin可能在小鼠早期胚胎发育中发挥一定的作用。     

p38MAPK mRNA在斑马鱼卵母细胞发育中的表达

为研究p38MAPKmRNA在斑马鱼卵母细胞发育中的表达变化,采用实时荧光定量PCR技术,检测p38MAPK的两个亚型p38α和p38β在不同发育阶段卵母细胞及卵母细胞体内成熟过程中的表达。研究显示,p38α和p38βmRNA在初级生长期(PG期)卵母细胞中表达量最低,p38αmRNA在卵黄发生早期(EV期)表达量最高,p38βmRNA在充分生长未成熟期(FG期)卵母细胞中表达量显著高于其他各期(p0.05)。在排卵前卵细胞体内成熟过程中,p38α和p38βmRNA在FG期未成熟卵母细胞中高水平表达,随后p38α和p38β均先下降,但在卵母细胞成熟后显著增加(p0.05)。上述结果提示,斑马鱼卵母细胞发育与p38MAPK的表达变化有关,p38MAPK信号通路在鱼类卵母细胞发育中发挥重要的作用。     

Gas6在猪卵母细胞及早期胚胎中表达模式与功能的初步研究

该研究通过免疫组化和QRT-PCR等方法系统分析了Gas6（growth arrest-special gene 6）基因在猪卵泡发生及早期胚胎发育过程中的表达规律,并提出了一种改良猪卵母细胞体外成熟系统的方法。研究结果显示,Gas6基因表达于猪卵巢中的卵母细胞细胞核及其周围的卵丘细胞,在卵母细胞体外成熟及早期胚胎发育过程中始终有表达,且在囊胚中表达最高。Gas6 mRNA在卵母细胞成熟过程中始终存在,但在孤雌激活后迅速消失,直到发育到囊胚时再次出现。在猪卵母细胞体外培养系统中添加不同浓度的Gas6重组蛋白培养卵母细胞,发现添加Gas6重组蛋白对卵母细胞的极体率无显著影响;但是当添加浓度为100 ng/mL时,培养的卵母细胞孤雌激活后分裂率、囊胚率及囊胚细胞数都显著增高。Gas6可能是通过改善卵母细胞细胞质的成熟质量提高卵母细胞的发育潜能,从而获得了更多、更好的胚胎。     

胸腺肽-β4在小鼠卵母细胞和早期胚胎中的表达与分布规律

胸腺肽-β4(thymosin-β4,Tb4)是一种重要的 G-actin遮蔽因子(G-actin sequestering factor),在细胞微丝活动中有着调节G-actin活性的作用． 以往报道证实了Tb4在细胞中具有广泛的生理作用,但其在哺乳动物卵母细胞成熟和早期胚胎发育等方面的作用,迄今还没有系统的研究报道． 以昆明白小鼠卵巢、卵母细胞和早期胚胎作为实验材料,以免疫( 荧光) 组织化学和RT-PCR技术为主要研究方法,对Tb4的表达与分布进行了研究． 结果显示,Tb4在相关发育过程中,存在差异性的表达和定位变化．结果表明,在小鼠卵母细胞成熟和早期胚胎的发育过程,Tb4能够通过表达与分布的变化对细胞微丝活动和细胞增殖活动进行调控,对小鼠卵母细胞成熟、早期胚胎发育以及胚胎着床过程有重要的作用．     

胸腺肽-β4在小鼠卯母细胞和早期胚胎中的表达与分布规律

胸腺肽-β4(thymosin-β4,Tb4)是一种重要的G-actin遮蔽因子(G-actin sequestening factor),在细胞微丝活动中有着调节G-actin活性的作用.以往报道证实了Tb4在细胞中具有广泛的生理作用,但其在哺乳动物卵母细胞成熟和早期胚胎发育等方面的作用,迄今还没有系统的研究报道.以昆明白小鼠卵巢、卵母细胞和早期胚胎作为实验材料,以免疫(荧光)组织化学和RT-PCR技术为主要研究方法,对Tb4的表达与分布进行了研究.结果显示,Tb4在相关发育过程中,存在差异性的表达和定位变化.结果表明,在小鼠卵母细胞成熟和早期胚胎的发育过程,Tb4能够通过表达与分布的变化对细胞微丝活动和细胞增殖活动进行调控,对小鼠卵母细胞成熟、早期胚胎发育以及胚胎着床过程有重要的作用.     

猪卵母细胞c-mos基因表达以及RNA干扰

c-mos基因在动物卵母细胞减数分裂调控中起作用,但其作用机制目前仍不清楚。本实验通过RT-PCR、免疫荧光激光共聚焦检测方法检测了猪卵母细胞在体外成熟培养过程中c-mos基因在转录水平、翻译水平上的表达以及蛋白的分布,并应用注射小干扰RNA(siRNA)方法对其进行了RNA干扰(RNAi)研究。结果显示,猪卵母细胞在体外成熟培养过程中c-mos基因mRNA量逐渐增高,电激活后6h接近完全降解;MOS(c-mos基因蛋白产物)在GV卵母细胞生发泡中有一定量的表达,生发泡破裂(GVBD)前表达量增加且开始向卵母细胞胞质弥散,成熟培养44h未成熟卵母细胞中的MOS表达量要高于成熟卵母细胞,激活后6h核区MOS明显减少,但仍然有少量MOS分布于胞质中;成熟培养前干扰c-mos基因,所用三个siRNA都能成功敲低mRNA量,分别是同时期对照组mRNA量的0.08±0.03,0.11±0.06和0.20±0.06倍,干扰后虽然没有完全剔除MOS,但MOS量比同期卵母细胞有明显下降,仍可以引发成熟卵母细胞染色体解凝集。研究结果揭示了猪卵母细胞体外成熟及发育进程中c-mos基因在转录和翻译水平上的动态表达规律,建立了猪卵母细胞c-mos基因RNAi体系,为MOS在猪卵母细胞发育过程中的功能研究建立了重要的基础。     

Paxillin在大鼠胰腺发育不同时期表达的研究

目的:研究桩蛋白(Paxillin,Pxn)在胰腺发育不同阶段的表达和细胞定位.方法:运用RT-PCR技术检测Pxn在大鼠胰腺发育不同阶段的mRNA表达水平;运用免疫组织化学检测不同时期桩蛋白在胰腺的定位.结果:RT-PCR结果显示Pxn的mRNA表达量胚胎期高于新生和成年期;免疫组织化学结果显示在不同发育时期桩蛋白不仅在外分泌胰腺有表达,而且在胰岛也有表达.结论:具有调节细胞聚集、粘附迁移功能的桩蛋白可能参与出生后胰岛重塑.     

兔骨形态发生蛋白15 cDNA部分序列的克隆及其在卵母细胞中的表达

采用RT-PCR法从新西兰大白兔卵巢中克隆出BMP15基因部分cDNA片段,经blast分析后,发现其与猪、牛、绵羊、山羊、人和小鼠的同源性达到了83%—90%。同时,利用实时荧光定量RT-PCR方法检测了BMP15mRNA在卵母细胞体外成熟培养过程中(IVM)的表达变化情况,结果表明:在兔卵母细胞体外成熟过程中,该基因在未成熟卵母细胞中表达水平较低,在培养16h其表达丰度达到峰值,并与卵丘扩展时间相一致,随后下降,推测BMP15可能在兔卵丘细胞扩展中发挥重要作用。     

大鼠胰腺发育阶段Mesothelin的表达

目的:研究Mesothenlin在大鼠胰腺发育阶段的表达和细胞定位。方法:运用RT-PCR和Western Blot技术分别检测Mesothenlin在大鼠胰腺发育阶段的mRNA和蛋白表达水平;运用免疫荧光检测不同时期Mesothenlin在胰腺的组织细胞学定位。结果:RT-PCR结果显示E18.5 Mesothelin mRNA的表达水平显著增高,至P14达到高峰,成年较低。Western Blot结果显示其蛋白表达趋势与mRNA完全相同。免疫荧光结果显示在不同发育时期Mesothenlin与胰岛β细胞和间充质细胞共表达。结论:Mesothenlin在大鼠胚胎胰岛形成及生后结构重塑中出现显著性高表达,并表达于胰岛β细胞和间充质细胞。     

兔骨形态发生蛋白15 cDNA部分序列的克隆及其在卵母细胞中的表达(英文）

采用RT-PCR法从新西兰大白兔卵巢中克隆出BMP15基因部分cDNA片段,经blast分析后,发现其与猪、牛、绵羊、山羊、人和小鼠的同源性达到了83%—90%。同时,利用实时荧光定量RT-PCR方法检测了BMP15 mRNA在卵母细胞体外成熟培养过程中（IVM）的表达变化情况,结果表明：在兔卵母细胞体外成熟过程中,该基因在未成熟卵母细胞中表达水平较低,在培养16 h其表达丰度达到峰值,并与卵丘扩展时间相一致,随后下降,推测BMP15可能在兔卵丘细胞扩展中发挥重要作用。     

Role of PTEN in mouse pre-implantation development

The PI3K/Akt signal transduction pathway plays an important role in pre-implantation embryonic development. The tumor suppressor gene PTEN negatively regulates the PI3K/Akt pathway. Although PI3K is constitutively activated during pre-implantation embryonic development, currently no evidence shows the presence and possible involvement of PTEN in early embryo development. We investigated the expression of PTEN protein in germinal vesicle (GV) stage oocytes as well as in pre-implantation embryos. The activated form of PTEN was distributed in the peripheral of GV oocytes and compact morula. Treatment of GV oocytes with PTEN inhibitor bpV(pic) did not affect the maturation of the oocyte, but significantly impaired embryonic development. Thus, our study suggests the necessary role of PTEN in pre-implantation embryonic development.     

In situ glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity during development of pre-implantation mouse embryos

Summary Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity was analysed cytophotometrically in oocytes and pre-implantation embryos of mice. A bimodal distribution pattern was not found. Therefore, female and male embryos could not be discriminated on the basis of linkage of the enzyme with the X-chromosome during the pre-implantation period. The dehydrogenase activity in ovulated eggs and pre-implantation embryos up to the 8-cell stage was 65% of that present in follicular oocytes. In morulae and blastulae, the activity was further decreased to a level that was only 10–20% of the activity present in oocytes. The dramatic decrease in dehydrogenase activity could not be explained by modulation of the enzyme molecules, because K _M values did not vary strongly. It is unlikely that the abundant activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in oocytes is due to high activity of the pentose phosphate pathway because of the low activity of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, the next step in this pathway. It is concluded that high activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in oocytes is needed for keeping oocytes viable, and for generation of NADPH which is important for the fertilization process.     

Disruption of the mouse protein Ser/Thr phosphatase 2Cbeta gene leads to early pre-implantation lethality

Protein phosphatase 2Cβ (PP2Cβ) is a member of a family of protein Ser/Thr phosphatases (PP2C) that is composed of at least twelve different gene products. Recent studies have revealed that PP2Cβ mRNA accumulates in mature sperm, unfertilized metaphase II-arrested oocytes and zygotes, but that the mRNA level then decreases sharply between the early two-cell and eight-cell stages, remaining at low levels during the 16-cell to blastocyst stages of mice. These observations raised the possibility that PP2Cβ plays a crucial role during gametogenesis, fertilization, and/or early stages of embryonic development. In this study, we employed a gene knockout technique in mice to test this possibility. We found that PP2Cβ^Δ/wt mice generate normal mature gametes. However, PP2Cβ^Δ/Δ embryos die between the two-cell and eight-cell stages. To our interest, PP2Cβ^Δ/Δ ES cells which had been generated by transfecting PP2Cβ^3lox/3lox ES cells with Cre-expressing plasmid were viable. In addition, knockdown of PP2Cβ using siRNA did not affect the proliferation of wild-type ES cells. These observations suggest that relatively high PP2Cβ expression is specifically required during the early stages of pre-implantation development. The possible mechanisms for the early pre-implantation lethality of PP2Cβ^Δ/Δ mice are discussed.     

Expression of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins in relation to quality of bovine oocytes and embryos produced in vitro

The mechanisms underlying the visual assessment and selection of immature oocytes resulting in optimum embryonic development following in vitro maturation, fertilization and culture (in vitro maturation (IVM)/in vitro fertilization (IVF)/in vitro embryo culture (IVC)) are unknown. Also, the reasons for the more frequent occurrence of cytoplasmic fragmentation in in vitro produced bovine embryos, resulting in poor survival following cryopreservation and decreased pregnancy rates following embryo transfer are not clear. The objectives of this study are: (1) to investigate whether differences in the quality of immature oocytes and embryo fragmentation are associated with apoptosis; and (2) to study the pattern of Bcl-2 and Bax expression in oocytes and embryos to help elucidate their potential roles in the regulation of apoptosis during development. Bovine oocytes were obtained from slaughterhouse ovaries and divided into four grades (grades I–IV) based on their morphology. Oocytes of different grades were cultured in serum-free medium for 48 h. Embryos were produced only from grade I oocytes (highest quality) via IVM, IVF and IVC procedures. The morphological analysis of apoptosis in oocytes and embryos was carried out using propidium iodide staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling. The expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in oocytes and embryos of different qualities and stages was determined using western blotting. The results showed that the number of morphologically abnormal oocytes with shrinkage and/or fragmentation of the ooplasm, which are typical features of apoptosis, was significantly higher in grade IV oocytes (denuded oocytes, the lowest quality) than in grade I oocytes after 48 h in vitro culture (P<0.05). DNA fragmentation, a hallmark of the biochemical changes seen in apoptotic cell death, was observed in morphologically fragmented oocytes and embryos. The expression of Bcl-2 was high in good quality oocytes and embryos, low in fragmented embryos, and hardly detectable in denuded oocytes. In contrast, the expression of Bax was found in all types of oocytes and embryos with the highest expression in the denuded oocytes. This implies that the ratio of Bcl-2 to Bax may be used to gauge the tendency of oocytes and embryos towards either survival or apoptosis. Overall, our results show that apoptosis appears to be an underlying mechanism of bovine oocyte degeneration and embryo fragmentation. Interactions between the Bcl-2 family of proteins may play a critical role in pre-implantation embryo development. These findings could have important implications for improving IVF and related techniques.     

The effect of partial dissection of the zona pellucida on the fertilization of bovine oocytes in vitro and on the subsequent development of the embryos outside the body

Influence of partial zona dissection (PZD) on fertilization and cleavage of cow oocytes and on pre-implantation development of embryos obtained by this method was investigated. Decreased concentration of spermatozoa in less degree influenced on rates of fertilization and cleavage of oocytes with partial zona dissection than on intact eggs. The embryos obtained by method PZD can develop in vitro to blastocyst stage. However, their development is slowed down and presence of dissection in zona pellucida can result in premature hatching such blastocysts.     

Glutathione (GSH) concentrations vary with the cell cycle in maturing hamster oocytes,zygotes, and pre-implantation stage embryos

Glutathione (GSH) is thought to play critical roles in oocyte function including spindle maintenance and provision of reducing power needed to initiate sperm chromatin decondensation. Previous observations that GSH concentrations are higher in mature than immature oocytes and decline after fertilization, suggest that GSH synthesis may be associated with cell cycle events. To explore this possibility, we measured the concentrations of GSH in Golden Hamster oocytes and zygotes at specific stages of oocyte maturation and at intervals during the first complete embryonic cell cycle. Between 2 and 4 hr after the hormonal induction of oocyte maturation, GSH concentrations increased significantly (approximately doubling) in both oocytes and their associated cumulus cells. This increase was concurrent with germinal vesicle breakdown and the condensation of metaphase I chromosomes in the oocyte. GSH remained high in ovulated, metaphase II (MII) oocytes, but then declined significantly, by about 50%, shortly after fertilization, as the zygote progressed back into interphase (the pronucleus stage). GSH concentrations then plummeted by the two-cell embryo stage and remained at only 10% of those in MII oocytes throughout pre-implantation development. These results demonstrate that oocyte GSH concentrations fluctuate with the cell cycle, being highest during meiotic metaphase, the critical period for spindle growth and development and for sperm chromatin remodeling. These observations raise the possibility that GSH synthesis in maturing oocytes is regulated by gonadotropins, and suggest that GSH is more important during fertilization than during pre-implantation embryo development.     

Effects of steroidal glycoalkaloids from potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) on in vitro bovine embryo development

alpha-Solanine and alpha-chaconine are two naturally occurring steroidal glycoalkaloids in potatoes (Solanum tuberosum), and solanidine-N-oxide is a corresponding steroidal aglycone. The objective of this research was to screen potential cyto-toxicity of these potato glycoalkaloids using bovine oocyte maturation, in vitro fertilization techniques and subsequent embryonic development as the in vitro model. A randomized complete block design with four in vitro oocyte maturation (IVM) treatments (Experiment 1) and four in vitro embryo culture (IVC) treatments (Experiment 2) was used. In Experiment 1, bovine oocytes (n=2506) were matured in vitro in medium supplemented with 6 microM of alpha-solanine, alpha-chaconine, solanidine-N-oxide or IVM medium only. The in vitro matured oocytes were then subject to routine IVF and IVC procedures. Results indicated that exposure of bovine oocytes to the steroidal glycoalkaloids during in vitro maturation inhibited subsequent pre-implantation embryo development. Potency of the embryo-toxicity varied between these steroidal glycoalkaloids. In Experiment 2, IVM/IVF derived bovine embryos (n=2370) were cultured in vitro in medium supplemented with 6 microM of alpha-solanine, alpha-chaconine, solanidine-N-oxide or IVC medium only. The results showed that the pre-implantation embryo development is inhibited by exposure to these glycoalkaloids. This effect is significant during the later pre-implantation embryo development period as indicated by fewer numbers of expanded and hatched blastocysts produced in the media containing these alkaloids. Therefore, we conclude that in vitro exposure of oocytes and fertilized ova to the steroidal glycoalkaloids from potatoes inhibits pre-implantation embryo development. Furthermore, we suggest that ingestion of Solanum species containing toxic amounts of glycoalkaloids may have negative effects on pre-implantation embryonic survival.